The months leading up to your due date with your first baby can quickly become weeks and then, before you know it, days. There will come a time when you start to feel a bit of pressure and anxiety about making real preparations in your home for the arrival of your little one.
While you will certainly want to take it easy as you get into the latter stages of your pregnancy, preparing the nursery for your new baby is an important part of the process. You will begin to feel the “nesting” urge before long, and following those instincts can really help you from a mental health perspective.
You likely already have a bit of a vision for your baby’s nursery regarding the décor. It is also important to make sure that the space is outfitted with all essential baby items and equipment that you will need to look after your little one. If you are about to begin the process of prepping your baby’s nursery, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Make It Comfortable – Safely
One of the top things to bear in mind as you prepare the nursery is your little one’s comfort. Even though they will likely spend the first few months of life sleeping next to you in a Moses basket or something comparable, they will move into their own room before long. You want to ensure that it is comfortable and cozy for them when they make that change.
Unfortunately, there are a variety of seemingly commonplace items that are marketed to seem to make a cot or crib more comfortable, when in actuality they aren’t actually recommended by healthcare professionals. For instance, you shouldn’t really have bumpers on the cot slats as these can pose a risk to new newborns and infants.
You will find yourself asking a variety of questions related to how to keep your baby’s room safe and comfortable. Asking things like, “Are air purifiers safe for babies?” is all part of the process of creating the perfect space for your little one.
Don’t Make it Too Stimulating
One of the more important things to remember about your baby’s nursery is that while there is nothing wrong with the space being fun and cute, you don’t want it to be too stimulating. For the most part, your baby will be spending most of the time in their room sleeping. This means that you need to create a space that is conducive to sleep.
Any infant sleep specialist worth their salt will be able to tell you that there are many intricate components involved in making sure that your baby can get the sleep they need throughout the day and night. One big piece of that puzzle is giving them a sleep space that is designed for this purpose. A room that is calming, not too cluttered, cool, and dark will help your little one’s ever-developing mind to settle down and relax when it is time for sleep.